Androgenetic, or male-patterned, hair growth in women can affect women from all ethnicities and socio-economic groups. While the presence of male hair growth is disturbing, to say the least, most women suffer no ill health effects as a direct result of the hair growth. In some cases, however, the hair growth can be a sign of something lurking beneath the surface. Approximately 50 percent of women with male hair growth suffer from an underlying medical condition, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prevalence
Male-patterned hair growth, also called hirsutism and hypertrichosis, affects nearly 10 percent of the female population in the U.S., reports the Mayo Clinic. The condition is more prevalent among those with a family history of polycystic ovary syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, two of the main causes of hirsutism. Women of certain ethnic backgrounds are also more susceptible, including women of Middle Eastern, South Asian and Mediterranean descent.
Symptoms
The main symptom of hirsutism is the presence of androgenetic hair growth. Identified by coarse, dark hair on the face, chest and back, androgenetic hair growth resembles male hair growth. Other symptoms may accompany the condition, including hair loss, deep voice, acne, small breast size, clitoris enlargement and increased muscle mass, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Impact
A 2006 study conducted by the Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences at the Royal Free and University College Medical School in London documented the psychological and behavioral impact of female facial hair in 88 women who were thought to be suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, the main cause of male hair growth in women. The study, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, found that the women spent a great deal of time each week removing facial hair, approximately 104 minutes. The women were also uncomfortable in social situations and checked their faces frequently for signs that hair could be seen by others. Depression and anxiety were high among the group.
Causes
The causes for androgenetic hair growth in women include polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ovarian tumors and some medications. In approximately 50 percent of women with male hair growth, the cause is unidentifiable.
Treatments
Treatment options include oral contraceptives, anti-androgen medications, topical creams such as eflornithine and cosmetic procedures such as electrolysis, laser therapy, waxing, tweezing and depilatories. Treatments cannot remove hair that has already begun growing. Therefore, a combination of medical and cosmetic treatments works best for most women.
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